Anna Dereszowska calls for changes in access to psychiatry: "I ask - at what stage of implementing changes are we?"
On World Suicide Prevention Day, actress and social activist Anna Dereszowska addressed an issue that affects thousands of Polish families: the dire state of child and adolescent psychiatry in Poland. Her appeal is not just the voice of a well-known public figure – it's a call for immediate action that can save lives, as she spoke out loudly in the Polish Senate last year. This appeal is reiterated once again. How much longer will we have to wait for truly tangible systemic changes in psychiatry in Poland?
"Every day in Poland, people in crisis end up in overcrowded psychiatric wards or... go nowhere because there simply aren't enough beds," writes Dereszowska. "The waits for specialists can be months, sometimes years, long."
According to data from the GrowSPACE Foundation and reports from the Supreme Audit Office and the Children’s Ombudsman:
Every fifth teenager in Poland has symptoms of depression,
Poland is among the inglorious leaders of European countries in terms of the number of suicides among children and adolescents,
Only a handful of children have access to specialized help in a timely manner.
Yet the problem doesn't disappear when we stop talking about it. On the contrary, it grows in silence , leading to tragedies that could have been prevented.
Dereszowska recalled her participation in the "Let's Talk About Young People's Mental Health" summit, organized by Dr. Paweł Mrozek and Student Action . During the event, key issues were mapped in collaboration with experts, educators, and young people, and specific proposals were identified for decision-makers.
"Back then, I promised that I wouldn't stop talking. Today I ask: at what stage of implementing these demands are we? " the actress asks.
The list of necessary actions has been known for years, but – as experts emphasize – there is a lack of political will to implement them. Dereszowska reminds:
– Empathy and mindfulness are the pillar, but for the entire structure to be sustainable, we need a system that will actually take care of a person in crisis .
The most urgent needs are:
Act on the profession of psychologist – regulating the profession, increasing the availability and standards of psychological assistance.
More places in psychiatric hospitals , especially for children and adolescents.
Universal access to specialists – also outside large cities.
Health and psychological education – in schools, for children, teachers and parents.
Quick crisis interventions – not in six months, not in a month, but on the day of reporting.
Anna Dereszowska's post received an immediate response from organizations and individuals involved in the fight for access to mental health care. Paweł Mrozek, a member of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Poland, concluded:
"There is nothing more urgent than the health and lives of our citizens, especially our youngest. Asking for help is not a bad thing—it could save a life."
Updated: 11/09/2025 16:30
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